Welcome to our pick of last week’s news from Fethiye and around Turkey.
Curated from various news sources.
NEWS
“Clean Fethiye” campaign launched to protect city’s beauty
Fethiye, Muğla – Fethiye Municipality has officially launched its “Clean Fethiye” campaign, reinforcing its commitment to keeping the city clean and litter-free.
Billboards promoting the campaign and warning of penalties for littering and discarding cigarette butts have been installed across key locations in the city. The campaign serves as a strong reminder that those who pollute public spaces will face consequences.
In accordance with paragraph (b) of Article 15 of the Municipality Law No. 5393, persons that throw garbage, cigarette sticks and similar waste on the ground will be detected with photo traps, and penal action will be taken.
The municipality emphasises that protecting Fethiye, often referred to as a paradise on earth, is a shared responsibility. The aim is to preserve the city’s natural beauty and ensure a cleaner, healthier environment for all.
With the support of residents and visitors, the “Clean Fethiye” campaign seeks to foster a culture of respect and care for the local environment.
Fethiye Municipality calls on everyone to do their part, because a clean Fethiye benefits all.
Source: Fethiye Belediyesi
Letoonia Club Hotel Leads Cleanup in Remote Bay
Fethiye, Turkey – Letoonia Club Hotel has carried out a meaningful coastal cleaning operation in a bay on the Fethiye peninsula that is only accessible by sea. The initiative highlights the hotel’s commitment to environmental stewardship and the protection of Fethiye’s natural beauty.
The Fethiye Municipality’s Cleaning Services Directorate (Fethiye Belediyesi Temizlik İşleri Müdürlüğü) extends its sincere thanks to Letoonia Club Hotel for their valuable contribution.
Source: Fethiye Belediyesi Temizlik İşleri Müdürlüğü)
The grim aftermath: green and black side by side
Sakarya, Turkey —A stark contrast now marks the hillsides of Geyve, in Sakarya province, where lush forest once dominated the landscape. Following the devastating fire that erupted on July 23rd in the Nuruosmaniye and Karaçam neighbourhoods, aerial footage has revealed the damage: vibrant green forest standing side by side with charred black terrain.
The forest fire, intensified by strong winds, spread rapidly and reached as far as the D-650 highway. Firefighting teams launched an extensive operation to contain the blaze, which threatened nearby residential areas and led to the evacuation of several homes. Riot control vehicles (TOMAs) and concrete mixers were deployed to assist, spraying water to stop the fire from advancing further.
After intense efforts, the fire was brought under control. Two days later, the full extent of the damage became visible. Aerial images captured the dual reality on the ground—one side still alive with green foliage, the other scorched and lifeless.
In a related statement, the General Directorate of Forestry reported progress on other active fires across the country. The İzmir-Gaziemir fire has been largely contained, while firefighting efforts have reduced the severity of fires at seven other locations, including Sakarya/Geyve (three points), Karabük/Ovacık, Gaziantep/Şehitkamil, Bilecik/Gölpazarı, and Bolu/Mudurnu.
Efforts continue in Eskişehir/Seyitgazi and Karabük/Safranbolu, with authorities affirming: “Our struggle to control the fires, which continue in a total of 10 different points, remains determined.”
Source: https://www.gercekfethiye.com/yangin-sonrasi-aci-tablo-yesil-ve-siyah-yan-yana/103801/
Growing domestic interest keeps Marmaris dive tourism afloat
Marmaris, Muğla – As the summer season reaches its peak, the coastal resort town of Marmaris in southwestern Turkey is witnessing a surge in diving tourism, largely driven by domestic travellers. Known for its crystal-clear waters, vibrant marine life, submerged caves, coral reefs and ancient shipwrecks, Marmaris has become a hotspot for underwater exploration.
While global tourism patterns remain unpredictable, local dive operators credit Turkish holidaymakers for sustaining the sector this year.
“To be honest, we’ve managed to get through this season thanks to domestic tourists,” said Engin Güner, a diving instructor with 36 years of experience. “If 10 people show up, seven of them are Turkish. The interest from locals is huge.”
Güner highlighted the accessibility of the sport, noting that anyone over the age of 12 and without serious health issues can try diving.
“We offer demo dives to inform and introduce beginners to the sport. After leaving the marina in the morning, we provide a short theoretical briefing, then participants enjoy a 15-minute underwater experience,” he explained.
Those with conditions such as heart disease, epilepsy, asthma or significant respiratory issues are advised to consult a doctor before diving.
His colleague, Evrim Güner, added that Marmaris is home to 15 to 16 designated dive sites suitable for all levels.
“We’ve mapped areas for beginners, as well as sites with caves, wrecks and dense marine life,” she said. “The most frequent question we get is whether there are sharks. Let me reassure everyone—there are no sharks here. It’s perfectly safe, and once people try it, they usually want to come back.”
The growth in local dive tourism reflects a broader rise in domestic travel across Turkey. According to the Turkish Statistical Institute, Turkish citizens spent 76.4 billion Turkish Liras ($1.89 billion) on domestic trips in the first quarter of 2025—a nearly 69 percent increase compared to the same period last year. Leisure and vacation travel accounted for nearly 20 percent of that figure.
In 2024, the province of Muğla, which includes Marmaris, welcomed approximately 10 million visitors—half of them domestic.
As interest continues to grow, local dive operators remain optimistic that Turkish tourists will keep the industry thriving. “It’s not just about the sea,” said Engin Güner. “It’s about discovery, adrenaline, and sharing something unforgettable beneath the surface.”
Source: Hürriyet Daily News
Hatchling sea turtles reach Mediterranean in southern Turkey
Mersin, Turkey – Endangered sea turtles have begun hatching along the Mediterranean shores of Mersin, marking the start of a critical period for marine conservation in one of Turkey’s most important nesting areas.
The first hatchlings of the season were observed at Davultepe Beach in Mezitli district, where baby turtles instinctively crawled toward the sea under the watch of researchers and volunteers. The region is home to two endangered species: the loggerhead (Caretta caretta) and the green sea turtle (Chelonia mydas), both of which return annually to Mersin’s warm sands to lay eggs.
Nesting began in May, and hatchlings started emerging in July after about two months of incubation. This natural cycle is unfolding across multiple districts—Mezitli, Erdemli, Silifke, Anamur, Akdeniz, and Yenişehir—where adult turtles continue to nest even as new hatchlings head for the sea.
Dr. Mahmut Ergene of Mersin University’s Sea Turtles Application and Research Center reported a potentially record-breaking year, with around 250 nests recorded at Davultepe Beach alone. The previous high was 274 nests. He noted that while annual fluctuations are normal, 2025’s numbers look especially strong so far.
Experts urge the public not to interfere with hatchlings. Crawling to the sea unassisted is essential for their survival, as it allows them to shed biological scents that might otherwise attract predators. “Everyone wants to help, but sometimes it does more harm than good,” Ergene warned.
With dedicated teams continuing to monitor and protect nests, the season offers a hopeful sign for sea turtle conservation along Turkey’s southern coast.
Van Cats Find Loving Homes Across Turkey Through Conservation Adoption Project
Van, Turkey – Around 750 families across Turkey have welcomed the country’s beloved Van cats into their homes over the past five years, thanks to a dedicated conservation initiative led by the Van Cat Research and Application Center at Yüzüncü Yıl University.
Recognised for their striking appearance—pure white fur and mismatched eyes, one blue and one amber—Van cats are regarded as a cultural icon of Turkey’s eastern region. Known for their gentle and affectionate nature, they have been the focus of ongoing preservation efforts to maintain their unique traits.
As part of the project titled “A Van Cat for Every Home,” the centre carefully breeds litters each year and places the kittens with families who meet specific adoption criteria.
This year, 75 kittens were born in the first round of breeding, with around 50 now ready to be rehomed. All kittens receive vaccinations and an international health certificate before adoption.
“We are currently rehoming the first group of kittens born this year,” said Professor Dr. Abdullah Kaya, director of the centre. “We’re looking for calm and caring households where the cats will be appreciated and properly cared for.”
Interested adopters undergo a screening process to ensure the cats will go to suitable homes. While applicants are welcome to visit the centre in Van, cats can also be delivered to other cities through authorised representatives or transported by air with the assistance of the centre’s staff.
A small adoption fee is charged—not for profit, the centre explains, but to help confirm the applicant’s commitment to responsible pet ownership.
With interest continuing to grow each year, the project plays a vital role in both conserving the Van cat breed and raising public awareness of its cultural and biological value.
Source: Hürriyet Daily News
SPORT
Fethiyespor Update Time!
Thank you to Brian Lloyd for the update.
The team is currently in boot camp, undergoing two training sessions per day.
So far, two friendly matches have been played during the training camp.
Fethiyespor’s Professional Football A Team faced the Kocaeli Kartepe U19 side in a special match at the Green Park Hotel Football Field. The team led 2–0 at halftime and secured a 2–1 victory, with goals from Nurettin Çakır and Enes Erdem—both scored from penalty kicks.
In the second friendly, Fethiyespor played against Qatari side Al-Bidda SC at Kartepe Green Park Hotel. Despite taking a 1–0 lead through Şahan Akyüz, Fethiyespor narrowly lost 2–1.
The Fethiyespor Shop, located by the harbour in Fethiye, now has this season’s official shirts in stock!
Children’s sizes: 148, 164, 178
Adult sizes: S, M, L, XL, XXL
The first league game of the season is an away match – see photo – but there’s still no confirmed kick-off time. Stay tuned for updates!
Join the Fethiyespor Yabancilar group on Facebook for more news and updates
You can also follow Fethiyespor on Twitter and Instagram
Turkish Lira (TL) exchange rates
The British Pound bought 54.48 TL by the close of business on Friday. The week before it was selling for 54.15 TL.
The US Dollar bought 40.55 TL by the close of business on Friday. The week before it was selling for 40.37 TL.
The Euro bought 47.63 TL by the close of business on Friday. The week before it was selling for 46.92 TL.
Source: exchangerates.org.uk
Weather Forecast
Here’s your weather forecast for the week ahead.
Source: Living Earth
